Early Years

Research and Reflect – after the exhibition

Reflection on your favourite work

Research and present a short talk about the artist who created this work.

Explain how your favourite work reflects the ideas and interests of this artist.

What is it about this work that appeals to you?

The 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition – painting and exhibition

Art Making

Look at the techniques, subjects and presentation of the paintings in the 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition.

Create your own ‘9 by 5’ artwork about a subject from around your school (e.G. interior view, outdoor scenes, still life).

Organise a class 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition of the completed works. List all the tasks that will be involved in promoting and presenting the exhibition, and allocate different students to different roles.

Exploring the landscape – then and now

GeographyHistory

Choose one of the locations where several of the artists in Australian Impressionism worked en plein air.

Locate this place on a map.

Identify several paintings about this location.

Describe the type of landscape that is represented (e.G. coastal, inland, grassland, bush) and identify its main physical features.

How is the landscape being used by humans? What impact has this had on the landscape?

If possible, find a contemporary photograph of this scene. How has the landscape and the human use of the land changed over time? Suggest reasons for these changes.

A letter from ‘Marvellous Melbourne’

HistoryEnglish

Look at Allegro con Brio, Bourke St West c. 1885–86 by Tom Roberts and other paintings in the exhibition relating to ‘Marvellous Melbourne’, including views of the streets, transport and people. Imagine you are visiting the city from England.

Write a letter home to your family describing your impressions of the city, including the buildings, people, transport and atmosphere.

In the picture

English

Focus on a painting from the exhibition that that you believe has an intriguing story or atmosphere.

Write a short story inspired by the character(s), place and/or events represented in the painting. Use your imagination to place yourself in the painting.

Plan your story – first with a beginning, then a middle and end.

Use vivid, descriptive language, inspired by what you see in the painting, to add interest to your story.

OR

A small group of students could create a short play with a plot inspired by the character(s), place or events represented in one of the paintings.

Music and poetry

Listen to some of the music (e.g. Waltzing Matilda, Click go the Shears) and poems/stories (e.g. the work of Banjo Patterson, Henry Lawson) of the period.

What links can you find between the work of the Australian Impressionists and the music and poetry of the period?

Create an oral or PowerPoint presentation that links images with music or poetry.

Australian identity

HistoryArt making

The artists in the exhibition were interested in subjects related to Australian life and history.

Create an artwork (collage, painting, photograph or other media) that reflects your what you believe is important about Australian life and history.

Start with a mind map to explore different ideas.

Consider how your ideas and understanding about Australian life and history may be different from those of the artists in the exhibition. Why have ideas about Australia changed over time? How will your artwork reflect the time and place you live in and your personal experiences?

How will you present your ideas in a visually interesting way

The exhibition

Think about what aspects of the exhibition, Australian Impressionism, you found most interesting.

Design an advertisement, present a TV report or prepare a magazine article about Australian Impressionism for people of your own age. Your advertisement, report or article should aim to inspire people your age to want to visit the exhibition.

Your learning

Think about what new things you have learnt about Australian Impressionism by visiting the exhibition, the related activities and discussion.